Buy Lexus ES350 Tail Light Assembly

Background Info

The Lexus ES350 tail light - also called a rear light, tail lamp, brake-light assembly, or rear combination lamp - keeps you seen from behind, signals your moves, and meets strict safety rules. It changed from simple incandescent 7443 bulbs (2007-2012) to full LED clusters with stylized "L-shaped" light bars (2013-present). Swapping a bulb or the whole assembly is a do-it-yourself job that needs only basic tools, but damage, moisture, or burned-out LEDs can cut visibility and invite tickets.

Model Years

• 2007-2012 (XV40) - Uses twin tail-lamp housings on the quarter panels plus lights in the trunk lid. Incandescent 7443 stop/park bulbs and 7440 turn lamps are common. (lightbulbs.com, CarCareKiosk)
• 2013-2018 (XV60) - Redesigned units with integrated LEDs and a swept "L" motif; no owner-serviceable bulbs. (Wikipedia, トヨタ自動車株式会社 公式企業サイト)
• 2019-present (XZ10) - Full LED arrays, dynamic turn signals on F-Sport trims, and smoked-lens options on special editions.

Functions

• Tail/running light - steady red for night driving.
• Brake light - brighter red when you press the pedal. (CarCareKiosk)
• Turn signal - amber or red flash (LED on 2013+).
• Reverse lamp - clear white in the same cluster.
• Side marker & reflector - built-in edge visibility.

Safety & Law

• U.S. tail lamps must be red and clearly visible from 1,000 ft to the rear. (Legal Information Institute)
• All Lexus lighting is self-certified to FMVSS 108. (NHTSA, eCFR)
• LEDs slice power draw by ~80 % versus halogen, easing alternator load. (carwow.co.uk)
• Drivers everywhere complain that poorly aimed aftermarket LEDs (head- or tail-lights) create dangerous glare, and regulators are studying fixes. (RAC)

Helpful reading: FMVSS 108 text, RAC headlight-glare report.

Common Issues

• Burned-out bulb warning on 2007-2012 cluster - dash tells you which side. (YouTube, CarCareKiosk)
• Moisture/condensation - cracked seal lets water haze the lens; owners dry the lamp or reseal with silicone. (Club Lexus, YouTube)
• LED pixel failure - later models need full assembly replacement.
• Cracked lens from parking lot bumps; assembly is held by three studs and a wiring plug. (Lexus Owners Club of North America)

DIY Replacement

1. Open trunk and peel back the small carpet cover.
2. Twist out the bulb holders (2007-2012) or unplug the LED harness (2013+). (CarCareKiosk, CarCareKiosk)
3. Remove three 10 mm nuts; pull lamp straight back to release locator pins. (Lexus Owners Club of North America)
4. Fit new bulb (avoid touching glass) or new lamp; snug nuts to 5-7 N·m.
5. Test park, brake, turn, and reverse functions.

Step-by-step video: CarCareKiosk guide.

Bulb & Part Numbers

• 7443 dual-filament - tail/stop (2007-2012). (lightbulbs.com)
• 7440 single-filament - turn signal / backup. (Super Bright LEDs)
• LED module - integrated, dealer-programmed for 2013+ models.

Upgrades

• Plug-and-play LED bulbs fit 7443 sockets; they light faster for added reaction time. (Diode Dynamics)
• Smoked or sequential aftermarket assemblies exist; make sure they carry DOT/SAE marks to stay legal. (NHTSA)
• Film tints over the lens must still allow the lamp to be visible 1,000 ft away. (Legal Information Institute)

Care Tips

• Wash lens with car-soap, not household abrasives, to avoid scratching.
• Wax or ceramic-coat the lens to cut UV haze.
• Inspect the vent tabs behind the lamp; clogged vents trap moisture. (Club Lexus)

Environmental Note

Spent bulbs contain glass and metals; recycle them at hazardous-waste drop-offs. LEDs last longer and reduce landfill waste.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What tail-light bulb fits a 2010 ES 350?
A: A 7443 dual-filament wedge bulb handles both tail and brake duties. (lightbulbs.com)

Q: How long do factory LEDs on a 2020 ES 350 last?
A: Lexus rates them for roughly 15 years or 30,000 hours under normal use. (トヨタ自動車株式会社 公式企業サイト)

Q: Why does my dash say "Taillight Failure" even though lights work?
A: The sensor checks current draw; a high-efficiency LED retrofit can fool it. Adding an in-line load resistor clears the warning. (YouTube)

Q: Are smoked lamps legal?
A: Yes if they carry DOT or SAE marks and remain plainly visible 1,000 ft at night. (Legal Information Institute)

Q: Can I just change one bulb?
A: You can, but replacing both sides keeps brightness even and avoids future work. (CarCareKiosk)

Q: Do 2019+ ES 350 tail lights use bulbs?
A: No, they are sealed LED boards; if one pixel fails, the full assembly is replaced. (トヨタ自動車株式会社 公式企業サイト)

Q: My lamp fogs after rain; what now?
A: Dry it with mild heat, then reseal the housing gasket or replace the vent cap. (YouTube)

Q: Are brighter aftermarket LEDs safe?
A: Choose units with proper beam pattern and DOT approval to avoid glare. (carwow.co.uk, RAC)

Q: Does the ES 350 have a separate center high-mount stop lamp?
A: Yes; it's the red bar behind the rear glass and uses its own LED or 921 bulb. (CarCareKiosk)

Q: What tools do I need to remove the lamp?
A: A 10 mm socket, trim-panel clip tool, and a Phillips screwdriver cover most jobs. (Lexus Owners Club of North America)

Q: Is there a tail-light recall on ES 350 cars?
A: As of May 2025, no U.S. recall involves ES 350 tail lamps. Always check the VIN at NHTSA. (Lexus)

Q: How bright must a tail light be?
A: U.S. law requires it be visible 1,000 ft to the rear; LEDs easily exceed this. (Legal Information Institute)

Q: Can I install sequential turn signals?
A: Aftermarket sequential LED boards exist, but confirm they flash inside the legal 60-120 times per minute. (NHTSA)

Q: Does cleaning the lens restore brightness?
A: Yes; polish removes oxidation that can cut light by over 30 %. Re-coat it to keep clarity. (YouTube)